Archive for the ‘Photo Gallery India’ Category
February 22nd, 2012 | 
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One Location : Delhi
Built in : 1193 A.D
Built by : Mughal ruler Qutub-ud-inAibak
Main Attraction : The Iron pillar, Alai Minar, Alai darwaza.
Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation for Qutub Minar in 1199 AD and his successor and son-in-law Shamsu’d-Din- Iitutmish completed the structure by adding three more stories. Standing at 72.5 meters, it is the highest stone tower in India. Its base diameter is 14.3 meters and its top diameter is 2.7 meters. It has 379 steps leading to its top story. The lower three stories are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone.
There are various stories being told about the reason the Qutub minar was built. Some say that it was constructed as tower of victory to declare the might of Islam. Some others have the view that it might have been used as a tower for defense.
The Legend Of The Qutub There exists a tradition that the Qutub-Minar was built by Prithviraj, the last Chauhan king of Delhi, for enabling his daughter to behold the sacred river Yamuna, from its top as part of her daily worship. A Landmark In Islamic Architecture The Minar’s entire architecture, however, bespeaks an Islamic origin, with two of its prototypes in brick still existing at Ghazni, although Hindu craftsmen were certainly employed for its construction, as is evident also from certain ‘Devanagari’ inscriptions on its surface. Sometimes sculptured stones from temples have been found utilised in it. Originally, it was surmounted by a cupola, which fell down during an earthquake and was replaced early in the 19th century with a new cupola in the late Mughal style, by one Major Smith.
It looked, however, so incongruous that it was brought down in 1848, and may now be seen on the lawns to the south east of the minar. A Complex Of Astounding Monuments Quwwatu’l-Islam Masjid Just adjacent to the tower is the mosque of Quwwatu’l-Islam Masjid, which can become a bewildering experience for those who are not familiar with its history. It was supposed to have been built using the materials and masonry of the remains of Hindu Temples and architecture. On one hand there is the beautiful, exceptional Islamic handwriting and brocaded designs. Then there are pillars with clearly pre-Islamic Hindu motifs. The reason is that the pillars were taken from the 27 temples of Qila Rai Pithora, the city of the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan. This in fact has been recorded by Qutub-ud-Din in his inscriptions, who call it the Jami Masjid (Friday Mosque) in his inscriptions. The mosque was started in 1192 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty and was finished four years later.
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4 km away from Janpath to the N-East of Feroz Shah near Delhi Gate at Ring Rd on the bank of Jamuna situated Rajghat. Jawaharlal Nehru Rd also ends opp. Rajghat. On 31st Jan. 1948, Mahatma Gandhi’s last rites was performed here. The memorial stone of Gandhi is square in shape made of black stone. His last ward- ‘Hey Ram’ is inscribed on it.
Ordinary people, VIPs, foreign tourists all come here at Rajghat to pay their homage to him. On every Friday (the day of his death) a prayer is being held. Except Monday, a regular feature of projecting Gandhi philosophy in picture, sculpture and photos from 10-00 to 17-00 is being performed at Rajghat. Besides, there is Gandhi Memorial Museum projecting his life and the philosophy of Sarvodaya Movement in film from 9-30 to 17-30 except Thursday and on Sunday at 16-00 in Hindi and 17-00 in English.
Another Gandhi memorial is Gandhi Balidansthal or assassinated spot at Tis January Marg of the city. On 30 Jan. 1948 on his way to prayer at Biral Bhawan , he was assassinated by bullets. Hence, this memorial.
Tourist Attractions Of Raj Ghat
Gandhi’s Memorial
Set in the midst of deep green lawns, Raj Ghat is the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. 
A memorial to the father of the nation, Rajghat is a simple square platform with a black memorial stone with “Hey Ram” engraved on it, and a flame burning perpetually. “Hey Ram” were the words uttered by the Mahatma before collapsing, after being shot at.
Gardens and Pathways
Located on the west bank of the River Yamuna, Raj Ghat is surrounded by a wooded area and several exotic shrubs that give the area a serene ambience. Walk along the ornate stone pathways as you relax on your tour to the samadhi of one of the greatest leaders, statesman and humanist ever born. Pay your respects at Rajghat and feel an indescribable peace as you approach the resting place of one of the greatest proponents of non-violence.
Other memorials
Along with Gandhi’s memorial, several other Indian leaders, have been honored with a memorial for them. Some of these leaders belong to the Mahatma’s time, while others were his successors. A list of these people include, Jawaharlal Nehru, whose memorial is called Shantivan, Rajiv Gandhi’s Vir Bhumi and Indira Gandhi’s Shakti Sthal. Though the site is named after Mahatma’s memorial itself, it is quite a big area with other memorials to greet as well.
It was decided in the Delhi Durbar of 1911 that the capital of India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Thus was born the city of Delhi, designed by the great architect Edwin Lutyens, along with Herbert Baker. It took approximately 20 years and 15 million pounds to build New Delhi. Built as the Viceral Lodge, Delhi Rashtrapati Bhawan comprises of four floors and 340 rooms. Now known as the President House of New Delhi, it is spread over an area of approximately 200,000-sq-feet. It took 18 years to construct this building and on the on the 18th year of its completion, India became independent.
The Jaipur Column, a gift from the Maharaja of Jaipur, stands at a height of 145 m in the middle of the main court in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Another one of the impressive features of the Delhi Rashtrapati Bhawan comprises of the outstandingly beautiful Mughal Gardens. Then, at the base of the building, is a spacious square, known as the Vijay Chowk. The massive neo-Buddhist copper dome of the President House of New Delhi is splendid and can be seen even from a distance of a kilometer. Underneath this fabulous dome is the circular Durbar Hall, housing the Viceroy’s throne, measuring almost 22.8 m in diameter. Before the National Museum was completed, it served as a museum for a number of years.
All the official ceremonies such as the swearing in of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Members of Parliament, etc., take place in this hall only. Also, the Arjuna Awards for Excellence are awarded by the President from here itself. 
On the ground floor of the Rashtrapati Bhavan are a number of state apartments. Then, there is the State Drawing Room, State Ballroom, State Dining Room and a number of other such rooms inside the building. The Delhi Rashtrapati Bhawan consists of 54 bedrooms, along with additional accommodation for guests.
Places To Visit
Rooms and Halls
Rashtrapati Bhawan has 340 rooms. Famous Durbar Hall is used for conferring Padma Awards and various other ceremonies. Another room is Ashoka Hall which was originally built to be a ballroom and looks like a jewelery box with its adornments and size (32 by 20m). It has wooden floor, leather ceiling with a Persian style painting, central dance space and three vestibules.
Mughal Garden
Renowned Mughal Garden has more than 250 celebrated varieties of roses alone including the rare green rose. The garden is open to the public in February-March every year.
Herb Garden
The Herb Garden on the other hand has hundreds of medicinal plants used either in food or as traditional medicines. Some of the species include Indian Ginseng, Bergmont Mint, Brahmi, Citronella, Geranium, Evening Primrose, Giloy, Kalmegh and Patchouli. Also Project Roshini has been started to make the Presidential Estate a green, energy efficient, a zero waste model township and a more ecologically sensitive area.
Location : New Delhi, India
Year of Construction : 1921
Architect : Edwin Lutyens
Nature of the Building : All India War Memorial
Best time to Visit : Throughout the Year
Height : 42m
HISTORY OF INDIA GATE
Situated on the celebrated Rajpath in New Delhi, India Gate, originally known as the All India War Memorial, is a famous monument built as a mark of respect towards the Indian soldiers killed during World War I and the Afghan Wars. Constructed during the times of British Raj in India, the foundation stone of the structure was laid on 10 February 1921 by the duke of Connaught and was completed in the year 1931. The names of hundreds of soldiers can be seen inscribed on its giant walls while the Amar Jawan Jyoti or the flame of the immortal warrior lights underneath, burning constantly since the year 1971. Etched on top of the structure is a line which states ‘To the dead of the Indian armies who fell honoured in France and Flanders Mesopotamia and Persia East Africa Gallipoli and elsewhere in the near and the far-east and in sacred memory also of those whose names are recorded and who fell in India or the north-west frontier and during the Third Afghan War.’
Main Attraction
The India Gate was built in 1931 and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. This 42 m high stone arch of victory, universally known as The India Gate, stands at the eastern end of Rajpath, New Delhi. It was previously officially known as The All India War Memorial. The names of the 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the First World War, Afghan campaign of 1919 and the North-West Frontier operations are inscribed on the walls of this grand structure.
In the year 1971, an eternal flame or Amar Jawan Jyoti, 
was lit under the arch of the India Gate to honor the brave unknown, soldiers. The flame is flanked by uniformed soldiers, who stand guard over the flame. Near the flame, a shining rifle with a helmet on it, is placed on a high pedestal, as a tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battle. The best time to visit India Gate is after sunset, when the structure is floodlit and the atmosphere becomes pleasant.
During the evenings people come here for perambulation and children can be seen playing on the beautiful green lawns and around the trees that surround the structure. Visitors can enjoy boating in the water bodies alongside the lawns. Fountains located nearby are also illuminated with colored lights to add further resplendence to the ambience. The fair-like festive environment, is enhanced by numerous hawkers selling ice cream, street food, toys and balloons.
Just a few meters away from The India Gate, there is a beautiful canopy or domed kiosk, with a roof of red sandstone, under which the marble statue of Sir George V once stood. The canopy was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was built in 1936. The statue has been removed from beneath the canopy to the Coronation Memorial Park in North Delhi. The emptiness of the canopy is symbolic of the British retreat from India. The visitor can stand on the other side of the canopy and can view the entire Rajpath Avenue at a stretch, which is indeed a wonderful sight.
Calcutta Nicco Park, situated at Salt Lake, is an amazing amusement park. It can be said about the Nicco Park of Kolkata, India that, it is like the Disneyland of West Bengal with lots of wonderful games and rides. Its most recent addition is the Cave ride that is very interesting and adventurous. It is a spacious park covering about 40-acre land. It is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country and it was opened in the year 1991.
Nicco Park is more popularly known as Jheel Meel. It is the ultimate fun and entertainment destination for kids as well as adults. It draws huge crowds on the weekends, as it serves as the perfect place for relaxing mind, body and soul. It takes you into the world of fantasy and imagination. It provides wide choices of fun rides to choose from. To name a few, we have the Toy Train, Cable Car, Tilt-a-Whirl, Water Chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship and Moonraker.
Nicco Park in Kolkata is a perfect picnic spot as it is surrounded by greenery. It has a very beautiful rose garden which is an added attraction along with the fun rides.
Nicco Park also consists of an in-house Food Park that offers you some lip smacking Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. Apart from this, Nicco Park have several small stalls run by the reputed restaurants of the city.
There are a wide variety of rides to choose from, with the Toy Train, Cable Car, Tilt-a-Whirl, Water Chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship and Moonraker being the popular ones. The Cave Ride is the latest addition and is the only of its kind in this part of the world.
Calcutta Nicco Park, situated at Salt Lake, is an amazing amusement park. It can be said about the Nicco Park of Kolkata, India that, it is like the Disneyland of West Bengal with lots of wonderful games and rides. Its most recent addition is the Cave ride that is very interesting and adventurous. It is a spacious park covering about 40-acre land. It is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country and it was opened in the year 1991.
Nicco Park is more popularly known as Jheel Meel. It is the ultimate fun and entertainment destination for kids as well as adults. It draws huge crowds on the weekends, as it serves as the perfect place for relaxing mind, body and soul. It takes you into the world of fantasy and imagination. It provides wide choices of fun rides to choose from. To name a few, we have the Toy Train, Cable Car, Tilt-a-Whirl, Water Chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship and Moonraker.
Nicco Park in Kolkata is a perfect picnic spot as it is surrounded by greenery. It has a very beautiful rose garden which is an added attraction along with the fun rides. Nicco Park also consists of an in-house Food Park that offers you some lip smacking Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. Apart from this, Nicco Park have several small stalls run by the reputed restaurants of the city. There are a wide variety of rides to choose from, with the Toy Train, Cable Car, Tilt-a-Whirl, Water Chute, Water Coaster, Flying Saucer, Pirate Ship and Moonraker being the popular ones. The Cave Ride is the latest addition and is the only of its kind in this part of the world.
Location:- New Town, Rajarhat, Kolkata-64
Operational Since:- 21st September’2009
Total Area:- 3,50,000 sft. Retail + 1,25,000 sft. for 5 Star Hotel – Swissotel
Shopping Area:- 3,50,000 sft.
Multiplex/Cineplex:- INOX
No. of Screens:- 4
Capacity:- 1,190
Atrium Area:- 40,000 sft.
Speciality Restaurant:- KFC, Pizza Hut, Café Coffee Day.
Parking Spaces for:- 700 Cars
USP of the Mall:- A Mixed – 
Use Development incorporating ‘Mall as well as a “High Street “Shopping experience. Swissotel, a five-star 147 rooms hotel across 1.60 lacs sft., housing 3 restaurants, conference rooms, fitness centre and rooftop swimming pool.
Major Brands Present:- Lifestyle Max, Archies, Adidas, Apple Store, Biba, Carbon, Crocodile, Crossword, FabIndia, Metro Shoes, Mufti, Music World, Titan, Timax, United Colours of Benetton, Raymond, Reebok, Sony Centre, Levi’s, Sristi Jewels, Gini & Jony, Mobile Store, Little Shop, TimeZone, M3, Samsonite, Cafe Coffee Day, Cookie Man, Costa Coffee, Swiss Café, Haka, Flame & Grill, Masekkah and The Tea Junction.
City Centre, New Town isn’t only walls and columns. It is designed keeping in mind that people will come here to carry back an experience rather than a visit to a mall-multiplex-hotel- entertainment place. The design idea is to carefully craft an atmosphere that not only fills the eye, but also creates a special tune that you will carry in your heart. An ambience that appeals to all age groups and people from all walks of life. Shops exuding soothing aromas…perfumeries, candle shops, soaps, coffee, chocolate and candy are appropriately interspersed to evoke nostalgic fragrances. Moviegoers are led in and out of the four-screen multiplex through the food court. This allows them to savour cuisine from different parts of the world.
About The Place
Place : Mumbai, Maharashtra
Significance : Tomb of Muslim saint Haji Ali
Best Season : Throughout the year
How to Go To Haji Ali
Air : Bombay’s International Terminal is at Sahar, 30 kms (Ph: 8366700) and Domestic Terminal at Santacruz, 26 km (Ph: 6116009) respectively from downtown Mumbai. Most of the International Airlines, Indian Airlines Vayudoot & many other private airlines touch Bombay and connect it with the major cities of India and the world. There are domestic flights to all the major cities of the country.
Rail: Mumbai has trains connecting it to all the major cities of the country. Bombay is the headquarters for both western & Central Railways. Central Railways handles services to the east and south, plus a few trains to the north. Western Railways has services to the north from Churchgate and Central stations. Central Railways operates from the VT Railway Station (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) located in the Fort area (ph: 2623535). Other railway stations are Dadar, Churchgate and Kurla. Regular train services connect Bombay with all major towns and cities in India. Intra city trains in Mumbai are very good, and are the fastest and cheapest way to move around in Mumbai.
Road: Mumbai is connected by good motorable road to Pune 163 km, 
Nasik 185 km, Mahabaleshwar 239 km, Shirdi 307 km, Aurangabad 392 km, Vadodara 432 km, Ahmedabad 545 kms, Panaji 597 kms, Hyderabad 711 kms, Bangalore 998 kms. Intra city bus services are also very good. The Maharashtra State Transport Bus Terminal (Ph: 3076622, 3074272), J B Behran Marg, is directly opposite the Central Train Station.
Local Transport: Metered black & yellow top taxies, Auto rickshaws, B.E.S.T. city buses, Electric trains are available
Tourist Attraction
Situated at the end of a 500m causeway protruding into the Arabian Sea is the whitewashed Haji Ali Mosque, containing the tomb of a Muslim saint Haji Ali who is believed to have meditated on these very shores.
It is said that Haji Ali was a wealthy Muslim merchant who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted and came to the spot where the mosque and tomb were built by his devotes in the early 19th century. The Mosque lies opposite to the famous Mahalakshmi temple and can be approached from Lala Rajpatrai Marg.
Haji Ali is a handsome example of Islamic architecture standing on an island. In fact, this holy place is visited by many devotees as well as visitors who are attracted by the beauty of the site. The widespread belief is that whoever prays to the deity here is never disappointed. A number of pilgrims come here for thanksgiving. Haji Ali’s sister also followed her brother’s footsteps and became his companion in ascetic suffering. There is a mausoleum built for her a little distance away on Worli Bay.
How To Reach Shirdi
Nearest airports are Mumbai (260 km), Pune (185 km), and Aurangabad (125 km). Flights for all the major cities in India and abroad can be taken from Mumbai. The nearest railway station is Manmad (60 km) on the Central Railway, which is connected to many parts of the country with express trains. Most of the trains touching Nasik Road railway station also touch Manmad. Shirdi has railway reservation office for trains from Manmad. Taxis and buses are easily available at Manmad railway station for transfer to Shirdi. Regular taxi service also operates between Manmad railway station and bus stand. State Transport Corporation and private operators run coaches to Shirdi from Mumbai. The easiest way to get to Shirdi is by bus.
If you fly into the Mumbai airport, hire a taxi (the ones that are in lines at the very front of the airport) to take you to the Dadar Bus Stand. The cost is about Rs.-150 to Rs.-175 (make sure they turn the meter on). There are also people who will try to redirect you to their own “private” taxis. These “private” taxis charge between Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 to take you to the Dadar Bus Stand.
At the Dadar Bus Stand, there are long lines of small ticket counters that sell bus tickets to Shirdi. Preferably, try to get an A/C direct bus (Rs.-300). If you are not able to get an A/C direct bus, get a non-A/C direct bus (Rs.-150). Buses leave almost every 3 hours from Mumbai to Shirdi. So your wait will not be long. The buses make about 2 stops for food. The restaurants are non-vegetarian. So make sure you pack some snacks and bottled water for the trip. Keep an eye on your luggage! Try to get a bus that departs before 11am so you will not arrive too late at Shirdi.
Special About The Temple
Once you go inside the Temple for Darshan, you can expect long lines if it is a Holy Day. Otherwise, you will not have to wait long at all. Avoid Holy Days (the lines are extremely long and the wait can easily exceed 5 hours). You can expect police officers and Temple workers to be screaming loudly at people to hurry up and move forward. I would suggest you get in the furthest left-hand side line. In that line, you can touch Sai Baba’s actual samadhi and the silver chappals that are located there. You can offer flowers and there are places where you can offer money. As soon as you offer your flowers and touch his samadhi, kindly leave the area. Winters are the best season to visit Shirdi. The months from September to April being the ideal period. The daytime temperature is pleasant during this period, making the days excellent for visiting the tourist attractions of the town. The summers can get very hot (May-August). Make sure you drink bottled water.
Special Teaching By Sai Baba
ll religions preach that God is Almighty and He is omnipresent. The omnipresence of God is clearly manifested in the various experiences that Sai Baba has given to his devotees— anywhere, anytime. He once said, “He who thinks that I am only at Shirdi has never known me. I am omnipresent—-anywhere, everywhere, all the time and in all creation. I am at Shirdi and everywhere. I am formless and everywhere! I am everything and beyond. All the Universe is in Me. Wherever you see, whatever you see, I am there.” He not only preached this, but he demonstrated the truth through his deeds (Leelas).
The omnipresence of Shri Sai Baba demonstrated that he knows everything that has happened, happening and will happen in the lives of all creatures in the world. In addition to this, he also demonstrated that omnipresence of God is also manifested in the non-living things. This provides an effective check on the evil propensities of devotees. But still, he always said, “I am the slave of God”; “Allah Malik”.
Main Tourist Attraction
Gurusthan Mandir
This is the place where Baba first appeared to the world as a boy of 16 years & this place is supposed to be Baba’s Gurusthan. the famous Margosa (Neem) tree is here. it has a reference in Shri Sai Sat-charita. Devotees claim that their ailments are cured by burning incense here on Thursday & Friday.
Samadhi Mandir
Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur,
a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. Gopalrao wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Mandir became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba.
The Mandir is built with stones and Baba’s Samadhi is built with white marble stones. A railing is built in marble around the Samadhi and is full of ornamental decorations. In front of the Samadhi are two silver pillars full of decorative designs. Just behind the Samadhi is Sai Baba’s marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. This idol was made by late Balaji Vasant.
Chawdi Mandir
On every alternate day Baba used to proceed in procession from Dwarkamai to this place at night & halt & sleep here. Now also on every Thursday Palanquin procession of Baba’s Photo. Holy Padukas & Satka is taken to this place between 9.15 p.m. & 10.00 p.m. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.